Locomotive brake valve equipped with a range spring dampener

ABSTRACT

In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve having at least one exhaust valve assembly, at least one spring housing and at least one range spring, the improvement comprising a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities, whereby the device will minimize spring oscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The invention taught in the present application is closelyrelated to the invention taught in co-pending patent applications titled“Spring With Enhanced Damping Capabilities”, filed on Aug. 11, 2000 andhaving Ser. No. 09/636,356, and “Locomotive Brake Valve”, filed on Aug.11, 2000 and having Ser. No. 09/637,716. These applications are assignedto the assignee of the present application. The teachings of theseco-pending patent applications are incorporated herein by referencethereto.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a locomotive brakevalve and, more particularly, this invention relates to a device thatwill minimize spring oscillation during operation of a locomotive brakevalve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Prior to the present invention, a locomotive brake valve isequipped with at least one spring that provides a mechanical forceagainst a diaphragm in order to generate air pressure in the valve.Spring vibration occurs as a result of either the spring operating atits natural frequency, or vibration that is introduced to the springthrough its environment during normal operation of the brake valve. Ifthis vibration is not controlled, the brake valve assembly componentsmay be damaged, or experience premature wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides for a railwaylocomotive brake valve having at least one exhaust valve assembly, atleast one spring housing, and at least one range spring. The improvementcomprises a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities, wherebythe device will minimize spring oscillation during operation of thelocomotive brake valve.

[0005] In a further aspect, the present invention provides for a railwaylocomotive brake valve having at least one exhaust valve assembly, atleast one spring housing, and at least one range spring with enhanceddamping capabilities. The improvement comprises a device for providingadditional damping capabilities, whereby the device will minimize springoscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

[0006] In still a further aspect, the present invention provides adevice for dampening spring oscillation in a railway locomotive brakevalve. The device comprises a first element having a predetermined size,shape, and material. A plurality of members having a predetermined size,shape, and material are attached in a predetermined position to thefirst element for engaging with a spring to minimize spring oscillationwhen the device is disposed about a spring.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention toprovide a spring in a locomotive brake valve with enhanced dampingcapabilities.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring ina locomotive brake valve with enhanced damping capabilities to minimizespring oscillation.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide alocomotive brake valve spring with enhanced damping capabilities tominimize and prevent brake valve component damage.

[0010] In addition to the various objects of the invention that havebeen described above, various other objects and advantages will becomemore readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art fromthe following more detailed description of the invention, particularly,when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached figuresand the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a presently preferredembodiment of a locomotive brake valve assembly comprising a device forproviding enhanced damping capabilities;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken from FIG. 1, whichshows the portion of the locomotive brake valve assembly comprising adevice for providing enhanced damping capabilities;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodimentof a locomotive brake valve assembly comprising a device for providingenhanced damping capabilities;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken from FIG. 3 of thealternative embodiment of the invention; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a device for providing enhanceddamping capabilities for a spring in a locomotive brake valve assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0016] Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of theinvention, it should be noted that identical components having identicalfunctions have been designated with identical reference numerals for thesake of clarity.

[0017] Now refer more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.Illustrated therein is a locomotive brake valve, generally designated10, having at least one exhaust valve assembly, generally designated 12,a spring housing 14, and a range spring 16. The improvement comprises adevice 18 for providing damping capabilities. Preferably, the device 18is a spring dampener of a predetermined size, shape, and material,engageable with the exhaust valve assembly 12, the spring housing 14,and the range spring 16. Preferably, the material of the spring dampeneris at least one of plastic and metal. Preferably, the material is metal,and the metal is steel. It is also preferred that the range spring 16 isdisposed intermediate the pressure regulating means, generallydesignated 20, and the diaphgram 22. Preferably, the device 18 islocated on a first end 24 of the range spring 16 adjacent the diaphragm22. The device 18 will minimize spring oscillation during operation ofthe locomotive brake valve 10. In a 30-style locomotive brake valve, anautomatic and independent braking function is integrated into the samevalve assembly 10. Therefore, two range springs 16 are present. FIGS. 1and 2 illustrate the use of the device 18 in the independent portion ofthe locomotive brake valve 10. If range spring oscillation occurs in theautomatic portion (not shown), the device 10 can also be used in theautomatic portion in a similar manner.

[0018] Now refer more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.Illustrated therein is a locomotive brake valve, generally designated10, having at least one exhaust valve assembly, generally designated 12,a spring housing 14, and a range spring with enhanced dampingcapabilities 28. The improvement comprises a device 18 for providingadditional damping capabilities. Preferably, the device 18 is a springdampener of a predetermined size, shape, and material, engageable withthe exhaust valve assembly 12, the spring housing 14, and the rangespring with enhanced damping capabilities 28. Preferably, the materialof the spring dampener is at least one of plastic and metal. Preferably,the material is metal, and the metal is steel. It is also preferred thatthe range spring with enhanced damping capabilities 28 is disposedintermediate a pressure regulating means, generally designated 20, and adiaphragm 22. Preferably, the device 18 is located on a first end 30 ofthe range spring with enhanced damping capabilities 28, adjacent to thediaphragm 22. The device 18 will minimize spring oscillation duringoperation of the locomotive brake valve 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate theuse of the device 18 in the independent portion of the locomotive brakevalve 10. If range spring oscillation occurs in the automatic portion(not shown), the device 10 can also be used in the automatic portion ina similar manner.

[0019] Now refer more particularly to FIG. 5 of the drawings.Illustrated therein is a device, generally designated 34, for providingdamping capabilities for a range spring (not shown) in a locomotivebrake valve (not shown). The device 34 comprises a first element 36having a predetermined size, shape, and material. Preferably, the shapeof the first element 36 is annular. The device 34 also comprises aplurality of members 38 having a predetermined size, shape, andmaterial. The members 38 are attached in a predetermined position to thefirst element 36 for engaging with a range spring (not shown) tominimize spring oscillation when the device 34 is disposed about aspring. Preferably, the plurality of the members 38 is three, and themembers 38 are integrally attached at a predetermined angle to the firstelement 36. The angle of the members 38 is determined by the amount ofrange spring dampening required. Preferably, the material of thedampening device 34 is steel.

[0020] Although the invention has been shown in connection with acertain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of partsand method may be made to suit requirements without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve havingat least one exhaust valve assembly, at least one spring housing, and atleast one range spring, the improvement comprising a device forproviding damping capabilities, whereby said device will minimize springoscillation during operation of said locomotive brake valve.
 2. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein said device is a springdampener of a predetermined size, shape, and material engageable withsaid spring housing, and said range spring.
 3. The combination accordingto claim 2 wherein said material of said spring dampener is at least oneof plastic and metal.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 whereinsaid material is metal.
 5. The combination according to claim 4 whereinsaid metal is steel.
 6. The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid range spring is disposed intermediate a pressure regulating meansand a diaphragm.
 7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein saiddevice is located on a first end of said range spring adjacent saiddiaphragm.
 8. In combination with a railway locomotive brake valvehaving at least one exhaust valve assembly, at least one spring housing,and at least one range spring with enhanced damping capabilities, theimprovement comprising a device for providing additional dampingcapabilities, whereby said device will minimize spring oscillationduring operation of said locomotive brake valve.
 9. The combinationaccording to claim 8 wherein said device is a spring dampener of apredetermined size, shape, and material engageable with said exhaustvalve assembly, said spring housing, and said range spring with enhanceddamping capabilities.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 whereinsaid material of said spring dampener is at least one of plastic andmetal.
 11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said materialis metal.
 12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said metalis steel.
 13. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said springis disposed intermediate a pressure regulating means and a diaphragm.14. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said device is locatedon a first end of said range spring adjacent a diaphragm.
 15. Adampening device for a range spring in a railway locomotive brake valve,said device comprising: (a) a first element having a predetermined size,shape, and material; and (b) a plurality of members having apredetermined size, shape, and material attached in a predeterminedposition to said first element for engaging with such range spring tominimize spring oscillation when said device is disposed about suchrange spring.
 16. The dampening device according to claim 15 whereinsaid shape of said first element is annular.
 17. The dampening deviceaccording to claim 15 wherein said plurality of said members is three.18. The dampening device according to claim 15 wherein said members areintegrally attached at a predetermined angle to said first element. 19.The dampening device according to claim 15 wherein said material of saiddampening device is metal.
 20. The dampening device according to claim19 wherein said metal is steel.